Niger Delta
Emu, Other Communities Join CBN’s Oil Palm Programme In Delta
Emu Kingdom in Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, has joined other 67 communities in the State to enroll in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) oil palm plantation development initiative in the country.
The Secretary General, Delta State Commercial Oil Palm Plantation Growers Cooperative Society Limited (DELCOM COOP), Chief Felix Okonti, disclosed this when HRM, Johnson Ullu, EzeEmu of Emu Kingdom led his subjects to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the programme in Asaba.
According to Okonti, the MoU with Emu Kingdom brings the total number of participating communities to 68 across the state that have keyed into the CBN oil palm plantation programme in the country.
He said the communities would be allocating over 100,000 hectares of land for the programme which was a prerequisite of the CBN to enable each state harness the full potential of the programme.
He stated that the programme would be a win win for all participants, adding that the oil palm plantation ensures great returns on investment, particularly when the programme would be deploying the best and fast yielding varieties for cultivation.
Okonti noted that unlike the local variety of oil palm seedlings, 150 stands of improved seedlings per hectares has capacity to produce 48 tonnes to 60 tonnes of palm oil per hectare annually which guarantees great earnings after each harvest.
He said that every participating community or individual land owner, has three options; to sale the land, give it out on lease or participate in the venture and earn 22 per cent of the profit after tax as returns on investment annually.
According to Okonti, the programme is a partnership between the Delta State government (Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources), CBN, and Group of Investors.
“This is the first phase of the programme being anchored by the CBN and 14 states, including Delta that have been selected to benefit in this pilot stage.
”Also, each state is expected to provide 100, 000 hectares of land as the bank has earmarked N800 billion to finance the 1.4 million hectares.
“We missed the track during the advent of the crude oil money in the 70’s from being the leading producer of palm oil.
“But this MoU is looking back and if the country can actualise the target of cultivating 1.4 million hectares, Nigeria will regain its position as number one or at least number two in palm oil production in the world.
“It is regrettable that the CBN in 2018 budgeted about N500 billion to pay for products of oil palm produced imports, commodities that we have comparative advantage to produce in the country”, Okonti stated.
He further said of the total of about 76 million metric tonnes of worlds palm oil production, Malaysia produces about 37 per cent, while Nigeria produces only two per cent.
He thanked the monarch and people of Emu Kingdom for signing into the programme while encouraging individuals, groups and various communities to make lands available and key into the programme.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ben Agamah, lauded the Emu Kingdom for their collective decision to participate in the programme.
According to him, oil palm is an endowed crop and palm oil is twice as expensive in the international market than the crude oil.
He urges more participation in the state to harness the potentials of jobs creation, wealth and economic development of the state and the country at large.
On his part, HRM, Johnson Ullu, EzeEmu of Emu Kingdom, who spoke through a Palace Chief, Chief Godday Mgbaego, said they were keying into partnership to cultivate about 93 hectares of land in the Emu Kingdom.
He thanked the State Government for giving them opportunity to participate in the programme.
The Tide’s source reports that the MoU is between Emu Kingdom and Group of Oil Palm Plantation Development Investors, who are all members of DELCOM COOP, for the acquisition of 93.7 hectares of land for oil palm plantation development in Emu Kingdom under the CBN Oil Palm Development initiative.
HRM Ullu, led the signatories of the MoU for the community, while Secretary General, Okonti, signed for DELCOM COOP.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.